Obituaries
Sister Elizabeth Ledger dies at 90; taught in three dioceses
After attending St. Francis of Assisi Grade School in Norristown and West Catholic High School in Philadelphia, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1952 with the name Sister M. Helen Anita.
Sister of St. Joseph dies in 68th year of religious life
Sister Regina Brown, S.S.J., died at age 86. A graduate of Nativity School in Port Richmond and Little Flower High School, she went on to teach in schools in Philadelphia and Camden.
SNAP founder and longtime president Blaine dies at 61
Barbara Blaine, who founded the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests and served as its president until last February, died Sept. 24 in St. George, Utah.
Renowned investigator of Marian apparitions dies at 99
Msgr. Rene Laurentin had published more than 160 books and 1,000 articles about Mariology, including the "Dictionary of the 'Apparitions' of the Virgin Mary."
Holy Family Sister Eileen Drummy, 69, dies in 42nd year of ministry
The Philadelphia native entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in September 1975 and professed her final vows in January 1985. She served primarily in health care at Nazareth Hospital.
I.H.M. sister, 96, dies in 73rd year of religious life
Sister Margaret Elizabeth Jones entered the congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1944 from St. Teresa Parish, Philadelphia. She served as a teacher and librarian.
Immaculate Heart of Mary sister dies at age 97
Sister Mary Damien O’Donnell, I.H.M., entered religious life from Seven Dolors Parish in Wyndmoor in 1941. She taught various grades and music in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Nurse, children’s advocate, religious dies at age 70
Sister Marie Ann Poland entered the Adorers of the Blood of Christ in 1997 at age 50, professing final vows in 2004. The Philadelphia native had a varied career in pediatric nursing before entering religious life.
Sister Helena Joseph Balbach, O.S.F., dies at age 95
Of her 73 years in ministry, the Franciscan sister served for 51 years in Wilmington, Delaware, as well as in other cities, both as teacher and principal.
Franciscan Sister Ellen Mary Meskill of County Cork, Ireland, dies at 84
Among her varied assignments in pastoral ministry and education, Sister Ellen Mary served for 22 years in the Archdiocese of Portland and 20 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.